Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-10-03
MR.. NBELL.


Woykiaa,Hans Id &c ue presents such
vigorous claims in the same drection-that
the republican central cOmmitte has been
discourteous 10 Mr. Abel. the democratic
candidate for the lower house Of the Iegs-
lature-and. coming from paper which,
as a union labor journal, is opposed
to Mr.. Abel and his party, or Is supposed
10 be. the case has serious appearance,
and it must be looked into. The only
ground for this charge is that the committee
has not responded to the challenge OF the
democratic committee that Mr.. Rawlns
unite with Mr.. Abell. in pub
lie discussion. 1t occurs TO US quite pos
sjbie that the democratic committee were a
little unfortunate In the phraseology EN-
ployed. IL its members had cOurteously
invited Mr. Rawlins 10 debate with Mr..
Abell, the case would have borne diff
ferent aspect; but the committee issued
challenge. and, as matter of fact.
there is no courtesy whatever in the issuing
of a challenge. II is at best note OF de-
fiance and the issuing OF challenge
involves the idea that the party Of the
o;her part is to be forced to accept or be
branded as coward. This is the meaning
of a challenge, in plain English. and is so
understood by persons who understand the
language. We therefore claim that the
republican committee is under no obi cation
to notice the challenge. either As politicians
or gentiemen-and their neglect to do 50
does not involve discourtesy to Mr.. Abell.
who did not issue the challenge. IL any
discOurteSy can be shown t0 have been mai :
ifested 10 the democratic committee We
would he glad 10 have some able states
man and journalist show Us that it " As not
richly deserved.
We do not propose that our able and dis
tinguished contemporary. Mr.. West. of the
NC,r>. shall exceed us in courtesy and mag
nanimity to a political opponent. Mr.. Abel
is gentleman and Christian, who came
here a short time ago. from Ober,in college,
the former home of Brother Walter Thomas
Mills. but let lis say in behalf of Mr.. Abell
that he was not fired" from the institu-
ton. but graduated in due form. upsn his
merits. That Mr.. Abel should come out
from such an institution. from which rndi-
stes such a flood of political and religious
illumination. democrat. free trader and
an opponent, upon principle OF mixed
schools." is a matter. the responsibility of
which rests upon himself II seems 10 us
that he Is shining POLITICALLY. if not NOR
ally against great light.
Nevertheless. We have good deal OF per-
sonal regard for Mr.. Abell, and a fair
amount of consideration. and as we know
that he is very anxious to discuss
the ''mixed school" question: dead
issue. that has been settled by law,
the results of which have been gen
orally accepted by the people-while We
cannot entertain much respect for his judg-
men: and must condemn his unwise course
in trying 10 create disturbance in the
schools Tor merely partisan purpose and
by an appeal TO that lowest of personal mo-
tiyes prejudice-we are still willing that
Mr.. Abell should be gratified and have
taken pains 10 accommodate him in a
manner which would give TO the discussion
the greatest possible significance. Mr.
Abeli is white man, and he now wishes to
appear as the champion of a policy which
should drive eolored children from the
plblic schools Of the state. 10 which
Ehey are now admitted by the provisions of
The constitution of the United States. the
statutes of Ohio. and the law of God Al
mighty. We therefore have secured the
,onsent of the most prominent and the
ablest of the race Mr.. Abel wishes to
thrust out from their lawful rights and
rriYileces-Mr. James Buford-who is
abundantly qualified 10 meet Mr.. Abel. and
who will, cn occasion. give good reasons
way the laws Of the land. in the interest Of
fair play and justice. should be enforced
in behalf OF blacks a. well as whites. Mr..
Blford is a gentleman. who holds q county
Office by the suifraees of the people-which
Mr.. Absll does not and will
not. for some time to come. Now
if Mr.. Abel will accept an
AL lp u!SSls- lIc ulhttc1 Ill WHICH
hs seems 20 take such a deep interest, We
b,lieye that he can be given hearing, in
the presence of large audiences.
As 20 the republican committee and Mr.
R,wlins, we presume they have their ar
for the campaign completed;
I lat they have provided for a thorough can
vass of the county. and that no new feature
C m now be introduced. And there is Ger
tainly no reason or pre.ext why they should
give Mr.. Abel the benefit of the large au-
denceS which invariably come ont to re-
Publican meetings. With all possible cour-
tew. We may say 10 the democratS-eet up
y"uT own audiences at your own expense.
Tn republicans do this. Why shouldn't
you?